All posts tagged Hinduism

The Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali in 1855. The temple is famous for its association with Sri Ramakrishna.

At midnight when the eighth child was born, the guards fell fast asleep and Vasudeva’s chain fell off his hands and feet. Wasting no time, Vasudeva picked up the newborn baby, and carrying it in a basket, he started towards Gokul. Gokul was a village of cowherds, located across the Yamuna river, where his friend Nanda lived.

It was a dark stormy night with blinding rain continuously pouring from the sky. When Vasudeva reached the river bank of Yamuna, the river was in spate. The wind and storm were blowing wild, and Vasudeva was in a fix.

“Lord, what should I do,” said Vasudeva in a hopeless voice.

Suddenly a miracle happened, the river parted and Vasudeva walked over the river bed. Throughout the way Vasudeva and the baby were protected from rain by the hood of the great eternal snake, Vasuki. Finally, Vasudeva reached Nanda’s house.

Thus goes the Legend of Lord Krishna’s birth.

An idol depicting Vasudeva carrying his baby, Lord Krishna, in a basket protected by Vasuki. Taken at Millennium Park, Kolkata.

“Forget not, the truly good is invariably more powerful than the most malignant evil.”

Dussehra is celebrated in India as the day of Lord Rama’s victory over king Ravana, the 10-headed demon king of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. It is the celebration of the Victory of Good over Evil. After the Ram Lila (enactment of scenes from Ramayana) the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath are burnt. These effigies are filled with firecrackers and the whole event is spectacular.

Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.

Taken at last year’s Durga Puja in my city. Maa Durga is accompanied by Goddess Laxmi on her left (with her mount the owl), Goddess Saraswati (with her mount the swan) on her right and her two sons Lord Ganesha on her far right (with mouse as his mount) and Lord Kartikeya on her far left (with peacock as his mount). Also shown is the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Durga.
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates worship of Hindu goddess Durga. Durga Puja is widely celebrated in West Bengal, Assam , Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura. Not only it is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the State, but also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali society.